Transportation and holding of tobacco and similar materials



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o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o j grvve'ntoz 60/200 004/ dme/s dbtozmw Patented July 18, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GORDON DON HAJBBIS, OF SOUND BEACH, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO THE INDUSTRIAL DRYER CORPORATION, OF STAMFORD, CONNECTICUT, A CORPORATION OF CONNECTI- CUT TRANSPORTATION AND HOLDING OF TOBACCO AND SIMILAR MATERIALS Application filed March 29, 1930. Serial No. 440,061.

This invention relates to the treatment of materials and more particularly has reference to the treatment or conditioning of materials with conditioned gases.

Heretofore in the preparation of articles of manufacture from raw materials requiring softening before working, difficulties have been encountered in keeping the material in condition while transporting it from one zone of treatment or operation to another. Similar difficulties have arisen in the storing of,

the material between operations. In the tobacco industry, particularly in the manufacture of cigars, problems as to maintaining the tobacco in condition after it has once been treated have been encountered. Generally, tobacco suitable for-wrappers for cigars is received by the manufacturer in bales or hogsheads. In order to eliminate breakage of the tobacco leaves upon removing them from the container, it is necessary to treat the tobacco in the container so as to soften the tobacco leaves.

In accordance with the invention set forth in my copending application Serial No. 440,060, filed March 29, 1930, tobacco received in the container in which it is shipped is subjected to the treatment of a conditioned gas having a relatively high moisture content. By subjecting the tobacco to the humidified gas for a period of time, sutlicient moisture is assimilated by the leaves of tobacco to render them pliable enough so that they may be removed without breakage.

Re ardless of how the tobacco is treated to so ten it prior to removing it from the receptacle in which it is shipped, it will be appreciated that transporting the tobacco removed from the bale or hogshead, exposed to the atmosphere, will result in a loss of moisture from the tobacco. After unpacking the tobacco, it may be subjected to the treatment which is known as casing. This treatment results in the assimilation of the proper amount of moisture by the tobacco so that it may be advantageously worked and fabricated into cigars or other tobacco products.

In the resent practice, the tobacco, after removal rom the casing machine, is transported in such a way that loss of moisture from the tobacco results. There is also 'a. loss of moisture from the tobacco while it is stored between different treatments in .i manufacture into cigars.

These disadvantages may be overcome by treating the tobacco 1n casing, so that a quantity of moisture is assimilated therein, so that after loss of moisture due to exposure to the atmosphere, the tobacco will still contain sufficient moisture to permit it to be properly handled and manipulated into cigars, but it must be appreciated that by excessively moistening the tobacco, its quality is lessened. Consequently, it will be desirable to so treat. the tobacco that excessive assimilation of moisture will beavoided.

The present invention contemplates a method of treating the tobacco while undergoing fabrication into cigars in which the foregoing disadvantages are avoided.

A major object of this invention is to devise methods and apparatus for treating materials which are free from the disadvantages of the prior art.

Another object of this invention is to provide a method and apparatus for treating tobacco so as to maintain it in a pliable and workable condition at all times during its manufacture into tobacco products.

Yet another object of this invention is to devise methods and apparatus for maintaining tobacco and other materials in proper condition during transportation of the material from one stage of treatment to another.

A further object of this invention is to devise methods and apparatus for treating tobacco and similar materials While being stored between stages of manufacture.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a container adapted to maintain tobacco or other materials which have previously been subjected totreatment to assimilate moisture therein in a proper condition so that the assimilated moisture will not be lost.

\Vit-h these and other objects in view which may be incident to my improvements, the invention consists in the procedure and the, parts and combinations to be hereinafter set forth and claimed, with the understanding that the several necessary steps and elements comprising my invention, may be varied in construction, proportions and arrangement, without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

The present invention contemplates the treatment of tobacco from its initial preparation to the actual manufacture of the tobacco into cigars and other tobacco products.

In accordance with this invention, it is proposed to maintain the tobacco in proper condition during all stages of treatment,so as to prevent the moisture assimilated during any conditioning stage from being removed from the tobacco. 'lhis may be accomplished by providing transportation devices and storage chambers in which the atmosphere is humidified to an extent sufficient to maintain the moisture content imparted to the tobacco at previous stages of treatment.

In order to make my invention more clearly understood, I have shown, in the accompanying drawings, means for carrying the same into practical effect without limiting the improvements in their useful applications to the particular constructions which, for the purpose of explanation, have been made the subject of illustration.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view of a truck adapted to transport tobacco to the casing machine, and from the casing machine to the stripping machine.

Fig. 2 is another vertical sectional view taken on line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a detail construction of a device for supporting the tobacco carrying stick on the truck for loading the tobacco hands thereon.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the truck with the tobacco carrying stick mounted thereon in a position convenient for loading the tobacco hands on the sticks prior to loading into the casing machine.

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view of a storage receptacle particularly adapted to receive tobacco prior to and subsequent to stripping.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken on line 66 of Fig. 5. 1

Fig. 7 is a horizontal sectional view of the apparatus shown in Figs. 5 and 6.

Fig. 8 is a horizontal sectional view of a slightly modified apparatus constructed somewhat similarly to that shown in Fig. 7

Fig. 9 is a view of a truck specially adapted for transporting the pads of stripped tobacco from the storage receptacle main tained at the stripping room to the cigar making machine.

Fig. 10 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 101O of Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line 11 11 of Fig. 9.

Fig.,12 is a portable basket or receptacle adapted to be employcd'in any of the constructions shown in the preceding figures.

In accordance with the present invention. tobacco or other material requiring similar treatment is subjected to the action of a conditioned gas, in order to soften it sutiiciently to permit it to be handled without breakage. For instance, in the case of tobacco which is shipped in bales or other containers, it is desirable to subject the tobacco in its container to the action of a humidified gas, so that the tobacco hands may be removed from the halo or hogshead without breakage. This procedure has been described in detail in my eopending application Serial No. 440,060, tiled March 29. 1930.

After the tobacco is softened to the proper extent, layers of the tobacco are removed from the bale or other receptacle, and are then placed in trucks and transported to a casing machine, in order to insure the further assimilation of moisture into the tobacco leaves, so that they may be fabricated into cigars and other tobacco products. In accordance with the present invention, the tobacco, while being transported from the bale softening device to the casing machines. is subjected to the action of a humidified gas in order to maintain the moisture contentimparted to the tobacco during its treatment to soften it.

A truck or transportation device, which is suitable for carrying out the maintenance of the humiditication of the tobacco while being transported, is shown in Figs. 1 to 4 of the drawings. Referring to the drawings, it will be noted that the transportation device 1, comprises a container 2, which, as shown in the drawings, is substantially rectangular in shape, but which may clearly be of any desired form. The tank-like container 2, is provided with closures for the upper portion thereof in the form of doors 3, attached to the container 2 by means of hinges 4. Suitable band members 5 are provided on the doors so that they may be easily moved from a closed to open position, and vice versa.

Positioned within the container 2, is a receptable 6, formed of perforated plates so as to permit the free flow of gas therethrou'gh. It will be noted that the receptacle 6 is spaced from the bottom of the container 2, and from the end and side walls, so as to permit the circulation of air or other gas in the container and through the receptacle. While the container 6 has been shown in the drawings as constructed of perforated plates, I wish it to be clearly understood that any other form of construction, such as a wire basket or any other type of receptacle may be provided so long as it is possible to circulate air or other gas through the walls thereof.

In order to provide for humidification of the material contained in the basket 6', the

container 2 is adapted to have a body of water 7 maintained in the lower portion thereof. I have found that by ous blocks 8 in the body of water, that the effective area of the body of water can be great- 1y increased by reason of the porosity, and t ereby provide for a maximum humidification of the gas contained in the structure 2. In operation, the tobacco or other material to be maintained in proper condition, is arranged in the receptacle 6, preferably in such a manner as to permit the free flow of the gas therethrough. The doors 3 of the container are then closed to shut off the access of the material to atmospheric conditions.

The atmosphere within the container 2 will be humidified by means of the body of liquid 7, and the porous blocks 8. This atmosphere will difi'use through the walls of the receptacle 6. and intermingle with the gas directly in contact with the tobacco, resulting in maintaining the proper moisture content in the leaves of tobacco. It will be appreciated that if there is any temperature differential between the contents of the conveyance 1 and the atmosphere on the exterior thereof, that there will be a tendency to create a flow of the gas within the container 1, cyclically through the material, and over the body of liquid. If desirable, the container may be constructed of metalor other material having good heat conductive properties.

When it is desired to employ the structure 1 as a conveyance, suitable Wheels or rollers 9 may be attached thereto, so that the device may e easily moved from one position to another. I wish it to be clearly understood that the wheel or roller construction shown in the drawings, is purely conventional, and that the invention is not intended to be limited to an particular wheel construction.

Since t e structure shown in Figs. 1 to 4 is intended to be employed in conveyin the tobacco from the bale to the casing mac ine, or the casing machine to the stripper, or other subsequent operations, it will be desirable to provide means to facilitate the loading of the tobacco from the conveyance 1 into the casing or other machine. In casing, I have found that by providing means for supporting the tobacco carrying stick which is positioned in the casing machine, the placingof the hands of tobacco on the stick will be greatly facilitated.

As shown in the drawings, the apparatus 1 may be provided with a socket 10, arranged on each end of the container 2. This is provided by the bands 11 and 12, which extend around the container 2 to strengthen the same. Each of the bands 11 and 12 is provided with an offset portion 13 and 14, constituting the socket 10, adapted to receive a supporting member 15. The supporting member 15 is provided with a reduced end ortion 16, adapted to be received by the set 13, formed in the band 11. This construction placing a plurality of por-- one side of the leaf stripped from the stem limits the downward movement of the support member in the socket provided therefor. The other end of the support member 15 is notched as at 17, to receive a tobacco carrying stick 18, provided with a plurality of clasps 19, adapted to secure the hands of tobacco to the stick. In operation, the support members 15 are inserted in their sockets 10, and the tobacco sticks 18 are positioned in the notched portions of the support member 15. As the hands of tobacco are removed from the receptacle 6, they are clasped to the stick 18, or otherwise suspended therefrom, which after proper loading, is positioned in the casing machine. This construction will also facilitate the unloading of the tobacco carrying sticks after the tobacco has been subjected to the casing treatment.

After the tobacco has been properly cased, the sticks are removed from the casing machine and the tobacco is taken from the sticks and placed in the apparatus 1. When the apparatus 1 is loaded with the tobacco, the doors are closed, and it is conveyed to the next stage of treatment. If it is found necessary to hold the tobacco in the apparatus 1, the condition of the tobacco will be maintained for relatively long periods of time.

From the apparatus 1, the hands of tobacco may be transferred to a storage receptacle positioned near the stripping machine. This receptacle is clearly shown in Figs. 5 to 8 of the drawings. The general construction of this device is similar to that of the apparatus shown in Figs. 1 to 4. As clearly shown in the drawings, this construction comprises a container 20 provided with a suitable closure 21, hingedly connected by means of the hinges 22. The tank-like container 20 is adapted to contain the body of water 23, in which are positioned suitable porous blocks 24, which serve to increase the effective surface of the liquid by reason of their porosity. The receptacle arranged in this apparatus, differs from that disclosed in Figs. 1 to 4, in that it is subdivided into a plurality of compartments.

As shown in the drawings, a perforated partition 26, extending longitudinally of the receptacle 25, divides the same into a compartment 27 for the hands of tobacco, and compartments for the leaves of tobacco, after the stripping operation. The latter compartment 28 is further divided by the partition 29 into two sub-compartments, one for and another for the other side of the leaf. The advantage of this construction will be appreciated when it is considered that the tobacco will always be maintained in its proper condition during all stages of treatment, and between all stages of treatment, so that further humidification of the tobacco will not be necessary.

A somewhat modified form of construction is shown in Fig. 8 of the drawings. In this form, the receptacle 26 is divided by partitions 30 and 31 into a central compartment 32 for the hands of the tobacco, and into two end compartments 33 and 34, respectively, for the two halves of the leaf stripped from the tobacco stem. It will be appreciated that other arrangements of the several compartments can be made, but it is partment in which it is inserted, and to facili-' tate the removal of the basketfrom the compartment. y

. When expedient, the relative size of the receptacle 6 and the compartments 27 and 32 may be so arranged that a basket may be inserted in the receptacle 6 of truck 1 to receive the hands of tobacco taken from the tobacco carrying stick 18, and the basket 55 may be removed from the receptacle 6 and placed in the compartment 27 or 32, as the case may be, depending upon the particular type of construction employed in the storage receptacle. Similar bas ets of proper size may also be arranged in the compartments provided for the leaves of tobacco stripped from the-stems.

After the tobacco has been stripped, it is transferred to the cigar machine. Generally, these machines are quite a distance from the stripping machine, and often'it is necessary to hold the pads of tobacco for considerable periods of time, before they are used.

In Figs. 9 to 11, I have shown the construction of a truck which serves very satisfactorily as a'means for transporting the pads of tobacco from the storage device at the stripping operation to the cigar making room. The construction shown in Figs. 9 to 11, is somewhat similar to that shown in Figs. 1 to 4, the principal difference being in the construction of the tobacco receptacle. As shown in Figs. 9 to 11, a truck 35 comprises a tank-like structure provided with liquid inlet and outlet means 36 and 37, respectively. Suitable doors or closures 38 are hinged to the tank-like structure 35 by means of hinges 39, and are provided with hand members 38.

The tobacco carrying receptacle 40 is slightly different from that employed in the other constructions herein disclosed, in that the container is divided into two longitudinally extending compartments by means of a partition 41. The compartments formed on each side of the partition 41 are subdivided by means of partitions 42 into a plurality of sub-compartments 43, those on one side being adapted to receive pads of the ri ht half of the leaf, and those on the other si e being adapted to receive pads of the left half of the leaf. The tank-like container 35 may be mounted on suitable rollers or wheels- 44, as shown in Figs. 9 and 10, or as shown in Figs. 1 to 4. As hereinbefore stated, the

the subcompartments 43 of the receptacle 40.

If found desirable, the basket construction 55, hereinbefore described, may be employed in handling the pads of tobacco transferred from the compartments in the storage receptacle to the compartments in the transportation structure 35.

After the tobacco is pro erlypositioned within the receptacle, the oors or closures 38 are closed to exclude the atmosphere. The gas within the container 35 will be humidied by means of the body of liquid 45 and the porous blocks 46 positioned therein. This gas will diffuse into the several compartments and contact with the tobacco maintained therein. Since the gas within the container will have a relatively highhumidity, there will be practically no tendency for the moisture in the tobacco to be taken up by the gas. It will be appreciated that this structure will be highly desirable, since the moisture content of the tobacco may be maintained substantially constant over relatively long periods of time.

As the tobacco is needed for the cigar mak-v ing operation, it may be removed either from the truck 35 or from a storage deviceconstructed somewhat-similar to that shown in Figs. 5 to 8, to which the tobacco is transferred from the truck 35.

While the foregoing invention has been described as applied to the treatment of tobacco which is removed frombales containing the same, I wish'it to be clearly understood that it may be applied to a treatment of tobacco which requires no preliminary treatment to remove the same from bales. For instance, Connecticut shade grown .tobacco generally contains suflicient moisture so that it can be shaken or opened up without being conditioned in the bale conditioning machine. As this type of tobacco is removed from the shipping receptacle, it can be placed directly into thetruck sand trans ported to the casing machine, the truck serving to primarily humidify the tobacco.

I wish it to be clearly understood that any ing out, thus making it necessary only to case the tobacco to the proper point without any excess moisture. The use of the trucks and holding cabinets herein described also makes it possible to case the tobacco under uniform conditions at all times, regardless of the atmospheric conditions, because when the tobacco is transported and held in the structures herein described, the atmospheric conditions have little if any effect on the tobacco.

While the present invention has been described in connection with the treatment of tobacco, I wish it to be clearly understood that it may be employed in other fields where 7.

materials other. than tobacco are treated. While I have shown and described thepreferred embodiment of my invention, I wish it to be understood that 1 do not confine myself to the precise details of construction here-v in set forth, by way of illustration, as it is apparent that many changes and variations may be made therein by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention, or ex ceeding the scope of the appended claims.

I claim: v

. 1. An apparatus for transporting tobacco comprising a portable container, adapted to contain a body of water therein, a tobacco receptacle positioned in the container and spaced from the bottom and side walls of the container to provide a space for the circulation of a gas which flows in contact with the water and in contact with material in said receptacle, solid porous blocks positioned in said container for increasing the contact area of the body of water, and means associated with the container for supporting'a tobacco carrying stick, exteriorly. of the container.

An apparatus for transporti tobacco comprising an open top container a apted to contain a body of water therein, a plurality of porous blocks in the container for increasing the effective area of the body of water, an open top tobacco receptacle positioned in the container and spaced from the bottom and side walls thereof, the walls of the tobacco receptacle having a plurality of perforations therein to permit the flow of humidified gas from the body of water into the tobacco re ceptacle, and closure means associated with the container adapted to form the top wall for both the container and the receptacle when in closed position.

3. An apparatus for transporting tobacco comprising a portable container, 9, tobacco receptacle therein, nieans in the container for maintaining the atmosphere therein humid,

said container having a plurality of sockets formed on the exterior thereof, a plurality of supports detachably mounted in the sockets, said supports being adapted to support a tobacco carryingstick in a position so that hands oftobacco may be taken from the stick and placed in the tobacco receptacle.

GORDON DON HARRIS. 

